A Snapshot of Our Life: So it's been awhile....

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

So it's been awhile....

I miss my blog. There, I've said it, and I mean it. I miss blogging. I feel like all my time in the evenings now goes to dishes, laundry, crochet, pinterest, and the occasional glass of wine... not all on the same night, but man I feel exhausted at the end of the day, and prefer to do mindless things rather than sit down to type up a post about what's been happening around our home. But I also feel like I miss out on reading friends blogs also, keeping caught up on new babies arrivals, what kids are going to be for halloween, family trips, and just what fun everyone is having in general. So, I think i'm back... I'm not going to set a schedule for myself or push myself to do X amount of posts per week, but I'm definitely going to try to post more regularly from now on.

Now to catch up on what's been happening here... Summer is over, and fall is in full swing. Most of the leaves were blown off the tree in a storm last week so everything looks a bit naked around here, but were enjoying the blustery weather we have now, I don't miss the 100+ days. Stella is 19 months old and getting SO BIG! She's actually wearing 2T, her 18-24 month clothes are looking a bit snug as of last week when she finished another growth spurt... I swear this kid grows every other week. She's wearing size 7 shoes (in toddler sizes), and weighs appx. 35 pounds we think. She's about 36 inches tall as of her last measurement, which means she's grown almost 6 inches since she turned 1!! She is a tall and solid little girl. She's rough and tumble too, loves to wrestle, loves to climb, loves to jump, loves just about everything thankfully! She's a fantastic eater, favorite foods include broccoli, peas, beans, olives, chicken, pork, yogurt, cheese, noodles, grapes, plums, artichokes, asparagus, green beans, etc... pretty much loves any and all veggies thankfully. She's also sleeping much better, although not through the night still. Some kids just dont sleep soundly I guess, but she'll go to bed around 8:30 and wake up around 1:30 or 2am, then comes to bed with Brent and I and sleeps until about 7:30-8 am. She's down to one hour and a half or two hour nap a day (which is fantastic for me!) and goes down pretty easy most of the time.

We are still nursing as she wishes, and I still love it wholeheartedly. There are times I wish I could go out of town with Brent for a night, but we'll get there. If this is what our girl needs to feel comfortable and happy, then so be it! Having a high needs child has been a learning experience, she is so incredibly smart, and so complex. and what I mean by high needs is that she needs our attention, our love, our involvement in her every minute of existence. She needs to know were paying attention, were around, and that she isn't alone at any time. She doesn't play well alone in her room, she pulls her toys into the kitchen if i'm cleaning, just to be near me, if were in a situation she's uncomfortable with, she immediately sticks her hand down my shirt to check on her "mimi's" and she feels better. If she's tired or doesn't feel well or is hurt, she wants her mimi's also, but just for a minute until she's better. I don't mind this, I actually love that her need to touch skin is her comfort, and that I can still give her comfort by nursing if she needs it. I am so proud of my body and my breasts and the fact that they have grown this child and are her biggest comfort, I can only hope that our next child will get the same amount of time and comfort from them as well.

Below Photo credits: Nikki Hoover Photography

We had 18 month photos taken with NHP a few weeks ago and I am in love, as always, with how she captured this little girl. I cannot wait for our family pics sometime later this fall/winter, Brent was out of town this day and couldn't make this mini session. Every session we have with her is so much fun and she is so relaxed and still seems to get the best pictures. I'm lucky to have such an awesome friend and photographer so close by.

This... is the Garcia look. named for a look that Brent's Grandpa Garcia used to give. Stell does it on command. Love.

We seem to have travelled a ton this summer, and i'll try to fit a few more photos in of our trips, which included Seattle, Reno/Tahoe, Twin Falls, Portland and several camping trips to the mountains.